The Management of National Plant Genetic Resources Centre in Taiwan

Abstract

A national Plant Genetic Resources Center (PGRC) was established at Taiwan Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) in 1993. The facilities include long-term, medium-term, and short-term storage rooms with different storage conditions in which are suitable for preserving orthodox seeds. The long-term storage room has the capacity of 240,000 accessions in aluminum cans sealed under partial vacuum. Up to December 2006, collecting seeds of 31,832 accessions in the long-term and 64,118 accessions in the medium-term storage room are conserved. For the field genebank, the collection and preservation of germplasm including fruit trees, medicinal plants etc., approximately, 4,800 accessions are grown and maintained in several repositories. A total of 1,734 accessions of collecting clonal germplasm are cultured in vitro. Germplasm distribution remains a major function of the PGRC. Germplasm materials stored at PGRC are available to people with academic purpose and can be applied on application via internet or intranet. The offer of seeds is free of charge and together with relative information included for referring. The varieties distributed from PGRC and transferred to research institute were approximately 1,000 accessions each year. TARI has engaged in international exchange of crop seeds and seedlings. During the past five years, the average numbers of varieties introducing or collecting from foreign countries were more than 1,000 accessions each year. In order to modernize genebank operations, promote information exchange and international cooperation on germplasm collection, a computerized information system of PGRC was completed in 1993. It is well recognized that the establishment of information system of germplasm enables users and breeders to search for needed information and to choose appropriate genetic materials in use on crop improvement program. PGRC finally aim to become a regional center for tropical and subtropical crop, through international collaboration on collection.